Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) Chair, Suzanne Snively, says “Transparency International’s top CPI score for New Zealand reflects the integrity of our public servants. Our public sector leaders are inspiring their own people and others to harness the value that integrity and resultant good business contributes to a more prosperous New Zealand.

“All of New Zealand benefits from investments being made by public sector leaders, as well as regulators and businesses. They build public trust and business confidence by identifying and eliminating bribery and corruption and enable industry to leverage off our positive ranking.”

“Complacency, however, remains our biggest challenge. The prevention of corruption is too often a low priority. Work to enhance transparency must continue for New Zealand to maintain leadership in the fight against corruption. This includes more open public involvement in government decision making and a publically accessible registry of the beneficial owners of companies and trusts”, says Ms Snively.

TINZ Patron and former Commonwealth Secretary General, Sir Don McKinnon, says that “Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index rankings are independent and objective assessments. Today’s announcement reiterates the importance of New Zealand having strong integrity systems in place. A perceived lack of corruption and active examples of good business practices make it easier for kiwi organisations to gain market access offshore, all of which ultimately benefits all New Zealanders.”

TINZ has identified seven important benefits for the New Zealand economy based on having strong integrity systems. These are: positive reputation and brand; greater customer loyalty; committed and engaged staff; easier market access; lower cost of business; increased returns on investments; and improved access to capital.

Top performers share key characteristics: high levels of press freedom; access to budget information so the public knows where money comes from and how it is spent; high levels of integrity among people in power; and judiciaries that don’t differentiate between rich and poor, independent from other parts of government.

CPI and Corruption in New Zealand

The Corruption Perceptions Index compares relative levels of corruption between the 180 countries included in the index. The methodology solely ranks countries without addressing absolute levels of corruption in any way. Numeric scores published along with country ranking are not indicative of an absolute level of corruption or changes in corruption levels.

We are blessed in New Zealand to not face the corruption reported in many places of the world. For example, Transparency International (our umbrella organisation) in their release, notes that every week at least one journalist is killed in a country that is highly corrupt. New Zealander’s do not pay police bribes as was experienced by TINZ staff in Panama when in transit to an anti-corruption conference.

Our reputation is a competitive advantage because it implies high levels of trust, lower risks and reduced compliance costs.

Corruption exists in New Zealand where there will always be individuals and organisations looking to break or bend the rules for personal advantage. Technology is adding new tools and levels of sophistication for corrupt practices. Corruption prevention, detection and prosecution remain critical for New Zealand – we can’t be complacent because of this top ranking.

Actively promoting a world with trusted integrity systems in which government, politics, business, civil society and the daily lives of people are free of corruption. TINZ is a member of Transparency International, the international organisation leading the movement to eradicate corruption and bribery wherever they occur.